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April 26, 2005

Manufactured Main Street

I went over to Fairfax Corner to catch lunch with someone whom I have known for years. It wasn't long ago that this area didn't exist. Now it has boutiques, restaurants, and a manufactured Main Street, all surrounded by apartments. Are we destined to live in fully tamed, sanitized neighborhoods like this? I seriously doubt it. Unless you can survive on coffee and Mexican food or have a lot of money to spend, you'll need some real services. I'm sure they aren't far, but this just isn't Mayberry. There are no warts. Things are too clean. This is Fairfax County attempt at a santized village.

The stores all appear to be chains. I have heard about some developments which have shops under the apartments. Perhaps that would provide some real life to a cloned scene like this. If you want to check out some photos of Mount Airy, NC, the inspiration for Mayberry and a real small town, take a visit to my Tour de Mayberry photo album. Walking through Fairfax Corner, I get the feeling nothing is real. Then of course I have heard you better bring your own parking space if you come after six pm on Friday or the weekends. Mount Airy is definitely real, there's nothing like a Big Moe or Snappy Lunch for that matter. I did post a few more pictures of Fairfax Corner on flickr at this location. As clean and nice as this is, I hope it is not my fate.